Why does so much of this have to be a mystery? I only got two years of funding outlined, the second year I lose money and am told I need to 'hustle' to get TA positions in other departments, I mean wow! There's these 'extra mural' grants that apparently are competitive that I can try for after the first year? Really how does this work? I just want to be able eat and do my research and pay crazy rent, but even that appears to be asking too much for this 'privilege' and 'honor' I've worked so hard for, but it's more like I triggered some kind of capitalist sucker's game, me being the sucker?